Abstract: Fiber optic plug connectors having an articulated force structure to inhibit angular ferrule biasing are disclosed. An articulated force structure is provided in the fiber optic plugs to apply a forward force to a ferrule of the fiber optic plug, to dispose the fiber optic plug ferrule in close proximity to an optical interface of the optical receptacle to provide an optical connection therebetween. By the articulating force structure providing an articulating forward force to the fiber optic plug ferrule, the ferrule is able to angularly rotate to inhibit angular biasing applied to the fiber optic plug ferrule as a result of inserting the fiber optic plug into an optical receptacle. The articulating force structure providing an articulating forward force to the fiber optic plug ferrule facilitates alignment of the ferrule with the optical receptacle to preserve optical performance.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors having one or more integral alignment features used for making optical connections. In one embodiment, an optical connector comprising an optical body and at least one magnetic attachment. The optical body comprises a front side with a first surface, an optical section comprising at least one optical channel, and a datum section disposed on a second surface of the front side and comprising one or more integral alignment features. The optical body also comprises a circuit mounting portion disposed at a rear side of the optical body. The datum section may be arranged on opposite sides of the optical section. Further, the one or more integral alignment feature may be arranged at a top and a bottom of the datum section for alignment in a first direction. The first surface may also be recessed from the second surface.

Abstract: Disclosed are interposer structures having an optical fiber connection and a related fiber optic ferrule that can form a portion of an optical assembly. The interposer structure is useful for transmitting optical signals to/from an integrated circuit that may be attached to the interposer. Specifically, the interposer structure and the related ferrule of the optical connector provide a passively aligned structure having a matched thermal response to maintain a suitable optical connection between the devices over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of modulating an inflammatory response in a mammal and to agents useful for same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of modulating an inflammatory response in a mammal by modulating the functional activity of activin and thereby modulating the pro-inflammatory mediator cascade. The method of the present invention is useful, inter alia, in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of conditions characterised by an aberrant, unwanted or otherwise inappropriate inflammatory response including, inter alia, sepsis and inflammation of the airway. The present invention is further directed to methods for identifying and/or designing agents capable of modulating activin mediated regulation of the inflammatory response.

Abstract: A molded waveguide side-facet coupler to facilitate an optical connection between optical side-facets and a fiber optic connector is disclosed. Instead of molding the side-facet coupler with the external mounting surface disposed on an external surface of the mold, the mold for the side-facet coupler is provided such that the mounting surface of the side-facet coupler is provided as a molded internal recess surface. The moldable material for the side-facet coupler is disposed around a recess core that is part of the mold, thereby forming a unitary component having at least one internal recess surface for providing an external mounting surface for the side-facet coupler. As the molded material cures around the core structure, the external surfaces of the unitary component pull away from internal surfaces of the mold, and shrink around the core structure. Thus, the internal recess surface of the unitary component is formed within narrower, repeatable tolerances.

Abstract: Electro-optical connectors and connector systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electro-optical plug includes a tip connector, a ring connector, and a sleeve connector, wherein the tip connector, the ring connector, and the sleeve connector are electrically conductive. The electro-optical plug further includes a gradient-index lens co-axially disposed within at least the tip connector, wherein the tip connector has a tip window that optically exposes a coupling surface of the gradient-index lens, and an optical fiber that is co-axially disposed within at least the sleeve connector. In another embodiment, an electro-optical connector includes a plug body having a planar electrical coupling surface with an array of electrically conductive contacts, and an optical coupling surface having at least one optical window. The electro-optical connector further includes a gradient-index lens disposed within the plug body.

Abstract: A locking mechanism 10 for a quick coupler A has a movable locking element 11. A biasing element 13 is adapted to bias the locking element 11 to move in a first direction. An operator 12 is arranged to move the locking element 11 against the bias of the biasing element 13. The locking element 11 has teeth or serrations 19 which, when the locking element 11 is moved by the biasing element 13 in the first direction, is engageable with further teeth or serrations 20 coupled to a movable wedge element F of the quick coupler A to lock the wedge element 11 against movement. The movement of the locking element 11 creates a compressive force that causes the teeth/serrations 19, 20 to positively mesh and remain meshed.

Abstract: A cable reel of the present disclosure can include two flanges and a central drum being independently rotatable from one another. The drum, which can be configured to receive a cable, can be mounted on an axle. The two flanges can be rotationally mounted on the axle at opposing distal ends of the axle. Bearings in the flanges can allow for a full rotation of the flanges about the axle.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical plug connectors and methods for making the same. The disclosure is directed to optical connectors. In one embodiment, the optical connector includes an optical body having at least one optical channel with an optical interface at a first side. The at least one optical channel having a total internal reflection (TIR) surface with a lens at the second side for turning the optical signal, and at least one fiber lead-in aligned to the TIR surface. The TIR surface may be angled in one or more directions from a longitudinal axis to allow a small form-factor for the optical body. In one embodiment, the optical body has a plurality of optical channels each having a discrete TIR surface. The optical connections disclosed herein may optionally also include an electrical connection if desired.

Abstract: A fiber optic distribution cable includes a jacket defining an exterior of the fiber optic distribution cable and a plurality of optical fibers extending through a cavity of the jacket. The jacket has an access location with a single opening formed in the jacket that extends to the cavity. A distribution optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers extends through and protrudes from the single opening in the jacket at the access location. The length of the distribution optical fiber is at least 5/4 times the length of the single opening.

Abstract: A fiber optic adapter panel for connecting optical fibers, and mountable to a housing includes a front face and a rear face. An adapter region includes a plurality of adapters extending between the front face and the rear face. A ventilation region has one or more openings through the adapter panel extending between the front face and the rear face, such that air passes through the one or more openings and into the housing.

Abstract: Fiber optic interface devices (20, 320) for electronic devices (300) are disclosed. A plug-type fiber optic interface (20) has an axially moveable multi-fiber ferrule (100) that supports optical fibers (52) or a combination of optical fibers and gradient-index lenses (600). A resilient member (150) serves to provide the ferrule with forward-bias and rear-bias positions relative to a recessed front end (22) of a housing (21). A fiber optic interface assembly (570) that includes mated plug and receptacle fiber optic interface devices (20, 320) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a fiber optic ribbon or stack of ribbons, strength members surrounding the ribbon or stack, and a jacket defining an exterior of the cable. The jacket forms a cavity through which the strength members and the ribbon or stack extend. The ribbon or stack has a bend preference, but the strength members are flexible and do not have a bend preference. Furthermore, the jacket is structured such that the jacket does not have a bend preference. The cavity is sized relative to the ribbon or stack in order to allow the same to bend and twist within the cavity with respect to the jacket as the cable bends, facilitating movement of the corresponding optical fibers to low-stress positions within the cavity and decoupling the bend preference of the ribbon or stack from transfer to the jacket.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical ports and devices having a cover with at least one molded-in lens and a mounting body having a recess for mounting the cover to the mounting body along with a mounting surface for securing an optical port. The molded-in optical lenses of the cover may be aligned with one or more active components for receiving or transmitting the optical signal. The active components may be mounted on a circuit board that may include an electrical tether. In one embodiment, the optical port includes a pocket having an alignment feature such as a piston that is translatable during mating.

Abstract: A plug for connecting to an electronic device includes a housing having an aperture, a magnetic element positioned in the aperture and having a second aperture, at least one contact within the aperture and the second aperture, a cord connected to the housing, and a mechanism configured to reduce a moment arm on the housing when a force is applied to the cord. The plug may be used as part of a connection that further includes a receptacle having a magnetic element with a recess, wherein the recess comprises an aperture, and at least one contact extending through the third aperture and into the recess.

Abstract: Receptacles and optical connector systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a receptacle includes a receptacle body defining a connector cavity, wherein the receptacle body comprises a rear wall having a first surface and a second surface. The rear wall includes a ferrule opening dimensioned to accept a ferrule body of an optical connector. A connector engagement portion includes a perimeter notch within the second surface of the rear wall and surrounding the ferrule opening. The perimeter notch defines a connector engagement surface that is dimensioned to contact a portion of the optical connector. The receptacle further includes an active component assembly including a substrate, wherein the substrate is coupled to the first surface of the rear wall, and an active component substrate having an array of active components, wherein the active component substrate is aligned with the ferrule opening of the rear wall.

Abstract: Docking stations, electronic devices, fiber optic cable assemblies, and display devices incorporating optical connections including a magnetic coupling portion are disclosed. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a docking station for an electronic device having a major surface. The docking station includes a mating surface operable to contact a major surface of an electronic device, and an optical connection disposed in the mating surface. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to an electronic device including a major surface having a cavity, and an optical connection disposed in the cavity. The optical connection includes an optical interface portion and a magnetic coupling portion positioned adjacent to the optical interface portion. The optical interface portion is offset from the major surface. Display devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and other structures that can be easily and quickly prepared by the craft for termination and/or connectorization in the field are disclosed. More specifically, the fiber optic connectors and other structures disclosed are intended for use with glass optical fibers having a large core. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a bore sized to receive an optical fiber and a buffer layer at a front end face of the ferrule. Methods of making the fiber optic connectors and other structures are also disclosed. The methods disclosed allow “rough cutting” of the optical fibers with a buffer layer thereon by the craft.

Abstract: Optical couplings for making and optical connection between one or more devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical coupling includes a coupling face, an optical interface within the coupling face, an optical component positioned within the optical interface, and at least one coded magnetic array. The at least one coded magnetic array may include a plurality of magnetic regions configured aid in mating the optical component with a corresponding optical component of a complementary mated optical coupling to a predetermined tolerance for optical communication. Optical cable assemblies and electronics devices having optical couplings with optical interfaces using coded magnetic arrays are also disclosed.